STOCKHOLM, Sweden, April 8, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The Board of Directors of the healthcare company, Medicover Holding S.A. (publ), in their meeting on 7th April 2005, authorized management to finalize an acquisition of a Polish laboratory service company (the "Company"). The Company is active in the western part of Poland and has an annual turnover of around Euro 3 million. The acquisition will be immediately earnings positive. A term-sheet has been signed with the Company with the ambition to close the transaction before end of the second quarter 2005. This is a continuation of the earlier communicated growth strategy for Medicover's laboratory business.
In order to finance the planned acquisition as well as to be able to pursue an aggressive growth strategy for the laboratory business, both in existing and new markets, and to further strengthen and grow Medicover's clinics business, the Board of Directors has decided to propose a new issue of approximately SEK 107 million of new equity from existing shareholders in a rights issue at the price of SEK 60 kr per each new share. The proposal will be voted upon at an extraordinary general meeting ("EGM") to be held on 10th May 2005.
The terms and conditions of the offer will be published on 18th April 2005 together with the notice to the EGM. The rights issue is entirely underwritten, at no fee, by Medicover's largest shareholder, Celox S.A, who has also committed to subscribe for their pro-rata share in the rights issue corresponding to about 36%.
Due to the rights issue process the first quarter 2005 reporting date will be brought forward to 3rd May 2005.
Medicover Holding S.A. Board of Directors
Investor Relations Contacts
About Medicover
Medicover, a fast growing health care company, provides private health care to companies, organizations and individuals with a high-quality subscription service. We offer services though a network of our own clinics and a contracted network of specialist care and in patient care to over 6,000 client companies and approaching 150,000 members. Medicover is present in Poland, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic and Estonia, with our own clinics and also operates laboratory diagnostic services in Poland and Romania. Medicover had a revenue of Euro 42.9 million in 2004.
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